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In the heart of leafy Surrey Hills, The Merry Harriers, a 16th century village inn, offers a boutique stay along with hearty seasonal cooking. The warmth from the roaring fire was most appreciated on a blustery winter’s day, and walking into the cosy ambiance of the bar area, we could see why this place attracts so many visitors as well as locals, and is listed as one of The Good Food Guide's 100 best pubs of 2025.

Eating in a snug room off the main dining area, lit with candles and decorated with homely furnishings, felt intimate and relaxed, like we were dining in someone’s front room. The menu consists of seasonal dishes using local produce. To begin, we opted for the sensational chicken liver parfait with plum ketchup, while for mains we devoured the pub’s version of bangers and mash, and the venison fillet served with neeps, buttered kale and fine beans.

It would have been rude not to try one of the tempting desserts on offer, so we went for the Jamaican ginger sticky toffee pudding, which was dripping with whisky toffee sauce and was both rich and warming.

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Breakfast brought yet more treats, including Jacks chilli scrambled eggs served on fresh sourdough. We were let in on the secret to what makes the eggs so special. We won’t spoil the surprise, but we’ll definitely be trying it at home.

There are three different room types – inn rooms, garden rooms and shepherd huts (fire pits included) – to accommodate everyone from solo travellers to family groups. Up a staircase from the bar, our room was full of thoughtful touches, such as the radio quietly playing when we first walked in to carry on the cosy atmosphere from below. With idyllic views of the surrounding area, we were sure of a peaceful night’s sleep.

Despite being just 30 minutes from London, The Merry Harriers feels like true country living and it’s only a short drive from stunning National Trust locations such as Oakhurst Cottage and Hydon’s Ball and Heath. We had a mooch around the charming market town of Godalming, with buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Now packed with independent coffee shops and cafés as well as popular high street stores, it was perfect for exploring on a rainy day.

Rooms at The Merry Harriers start from £160 per night. Garden rooms and shepherd huts are dog-friendly but require a ‘pet charge’ when booking.